Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels? [passed]

Obviously the answer is yes, just a matter of when.

Nuclear power ftw.

The amount of land needed for solar panels to power the world, european nations, and Denmark respectively:


Really thats not viable?

Well.... where to begin lol

I disagree that we will ever be able to replace fossil fuels with alternative means of energy, Can you imagine a electric powered airplane?.. No that's because its pretty much impossible to develop the amount of energy kerosene can with electricity, however electric cars are possible with one big downfall which is speed, that is a major issue in our day and age seeing as we need to get to places fast, further more even if we where to develop enough power from batteries to make a car travel the same speed as a petrol powered car, they will be extremely heavy meaning again it is slow.
Considering the time and money it will take for us to even develop something as useful as Crude Oil, i highly dough any government will invest in it.

I have more to say but ill wait for a reply first

Kid wrote:Well.... where to begin lol

I disagree that we will ever be able to replace fossil fuels with alternative means of energy, Can you imagine a electric powered airplane?.. No that's because its pretty much impossible to develop the amount of energy kerosene can with electricity, however electric cars are possible with one big downfall which is speed, that is a major issue in our day and age seeing as we need to get to places fast, further more even if we where to develop enough power from batteries to make a car travel the same speed as a petrol powered car, they will be extremely heavy meaning again it is slow.
Considering the time and money it will take for us to even develop something as useful as Crude Oil, i highly dough any government will invest in it.

I have more to say but ill wait for a reply first

100 years back this would have been the very same argument given against possibly developing something like a car or even a light bulb. At the rate that humans are advancing in technology I would say that those problems are at most very small issues.
Also, it is very much possible atm to live completely off of alternative energy although it is just rather expensive.

The answer is a definite yes. Not only is it possible but in many situations it's possible right now.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/roundworld-solarpowered-plane-solar-impulse-2-completes-first-test-flight-in-switzerland/story-fnjww1r5-1226941374693
The electric plane, for example, already exists, it's just real slow. However it can fly nonstop for 120 hours and is scheduled to fly completely around the world in one trip next year. A lot of work needs to be done before it could be considered for commercial flight, but it has other applications such as a low orbit satellite system.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/08/almost-orbital-solar-powered-drone-offered-as-atmospheric-satellite/

As for completely living off alternative energy being too expensive, I can set up a house on solar power for around $6,000 aud which is not much at all in the end for never having another power bill. However designing a house to never need heating/cooling, recycling water etc does cost a lot more. But over 25 years (a basic minimum lifespan for a house) it's cheaper since there are no power and limited water bills etc over that time.
http://www.infiniteenergy.com.au/case-studies/residential/joshs-house

And if your still not convinced then check out the 2006 documentary "Who killed the electric car" which is based around a production vehicle from the mid 90's. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489037/

Actually there are sports car electric vehicles. You see the eco-friendly celebrities and rich folk around here drive one and promote it. It cost roughly $4 in electricity for 170 Miles. Sure its not as fast as your standard Lambo or Ferrari but, its a lot cheaper to use then 5 Miles to the Gallon.

i'm pretty sure it will happen fossil fuels will be replaced someday, just not in the near future. a big problem are the big oil corporations and oil lords. they have to much money and power and they are not willing to lose it. they are making deals with multiple presidents to keep using oil and not fund any reaserch towards new alternative energy's in trade for massive fundings for their election campaigns. this is a huge setback to any mayor renewable energy project.

something i myself am very intrested in is the reasearch towards nuclear fusion. it had an enormous energy potential and unlike nuclear fission it doesn't leave any radioactive waste.
for those who don't know what nuclear fusion is:

clicky: